Cost, Not Sacrifice

Not the most important response to this essay but "Leave the hand-wringing to those with all their fingers" made me laugh. Thanks for the smile.

Buying something more valuable with something less valuable should never feel like a terrible deal. If it does, something is wrong.

It's completely normal to feel terrible about being forced to choose only one of two things you value very highly. Human emotions don't map onto utility comparisons in the way you're suggesting.

I think another problem with the hypothetical is scope insensitive. I mean I read 10 trillions usd and feel no difference from 10 millions usd or less. And it is unclear whether 10 millions is worth 10 of my fingers, while intellectually I think 10 trillions supposed to be worth it. Hence the discomfort.